Sign in with Facebook
Fabian's Reviews > Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go
by
by
Ah f**kin' British writers! My inclination to adore everyone from Evelyn Waugh to Charles Dickens, from Alex Garland to Zadie Smith seems very ingrained (VERY DEEP) inside me, primordial, & there must be SOME bloody reason why I find most English fiction so alluring. I think it has mostly to do with mood. It may linger deliciously...
The best book I've read all year (though not including Graham Greene's "The Quiet American") is about a microsociety of students in a boarding school hybrid named Hailsham. While there they do rounds and rounds of arts and crafts and come of age together, grow up, & yet there is something so not right with their seclusion and it takes page upon page to discover why it is that they are there. It is horrific, it is bizarre, this secret is handled with so much craft that it is indeed this attribute that marks this outstanding (quite brutal) masterpiece apart from all others.
There is an incredibly subtle mastery of several different genres here. Sci-fi meshes impeccably with allegory which is played out in the manner of a Gothic romance. Because the characters are trapped in all of this, the end result is (The Genre Supreme:) Tragedy. I feel so bad for Ruth, Tommy & especially for Kath, the wise but all-too-frail narrator, but at least their petition, which is the book's title, is true. This one is now on the list of all those I cannot let go or do without.
The best book I've read all year (though not including Graham Greene's "The Quiet American") is about a microsociety of students in a boarding school hybrid named Hailsham. While there they do rounds and rounds of arts and crafts and come of age together, grow up, & yet there is something so not right with their seclusion and it takes page upon page to discover why it is that they are there. It is horrific, it is bizarre, this secret is handled with so much craft that it is indeed this attribute that marks this outstanding (quite brutal) masterpiece apart from all others.
There is an incredibly subtle mastery of several different genres here. Sci-fi meshes impeccably with allegory which is played out in the manner of a Gothic romance. Because the characters are trapped in all of this, the end result is (The Genre Supreme:) Tragedy. I feel so bad for Ruth, Tommy & especially for Kath, the wise but all-too-frail narrator, but at least their petition, which is the book's title, is true. This one is now on the list of all those I cannot let go or do without.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Never Let Me Go.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
October 8, 2010
–
Started Reading
October 8, 2010
– Shelved
October 8, 2010
–
Finished Reading
February 9, 2011
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)
message 1:
by
Liana
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Oct 14, 2010 01:29PM
Holy cow.
reply
|
flag
I heard the movie is great as well. It should be out soon. I know the surprise, but i still want to see it...
You might be sad to know that this book was removed from the "1,001 books you must read until you die" list in 2008.
It's certainly bizarre. Unfortunately, the blurb on the back gave away the key plot point!
Hate when that happens! Thankfully the book is short enough to get past that innevitable point and make us cry
I can't say it did that for me, but never mind.
Intriguing. I'm putting on my TBR list.
Such a sad, haunting book. Great review.
Poonam wrote: "Wow! Great Review Fabian" thanks!
Edward wrote: "Such a sad, haunting book. Great review."thank you. f
Great review for a great book, Fabian. :)
Terri wrote: "Great review for a great book, Fabian. :)" thanks. f
There is an incredibly subtle mastery of several different genres here.About sums it up :->
Perfect review, I read this book maybe a year ago but didn't see all you put here. Nice new view.
Maryam wrote: "Perfect review, I read this book maybe a year ago but didn't see all you put here. Nice new view." Thanks! f.
What a compelling review, Fabian! Nice job!
It was beautifully written, totally surprising, and sucked the life out of me when I realized the truth. Searching that storefront for the lookalike? Painful. Well done.
Sisi wrote: "Have u seen the movie?" Yep. It was decent. Obviously the winner is, as usual, the novel.
Christine wrote: "What a compelling review, Fabian! Nice job!"Thanks, Christine.
LeAnne wrote: "It was beautifully written, totally surprising, and sucked the life out of me when I realized the truth. Searching that storefront for the lookalike? Painful. Well done.""Sucked the life" is correct. How is it that we become so invested in these individuals belonging to a generation of, literally, disposable meat?
Yess, Ishiguro is brilliant. Have you read "The Buried Giant" or "The Remains of The Day"? He explores such different genres, yet never fails to delight.
Ana-Maria wrote: "Yess, Ishiguro is brilliant. Have you read "The Buried Giant" or "The Remains of The Day"? He explores such different genres, yet never fails to delight."Love "Remains," Love "Pale View" even more. "We Were Orphans" was... not his best. Dying to read "Giant" tho.
Great review. I'm adding it to my to read list. Thanks!
Tiffany wrote: "Great review. I'm adding it to my to read list. Thanks!" Thank you! f
Great review, and I couldn't agree more. Your opening reminds me of the intro to one of the Sandman graphic novels (probably Preludes and Nocturnes, but I may be mistaken) where the introducer starts "Goddamn Brits..." and goes on to lament how we steal back the American inventions such as rock n roll and comic books and improve on them :D
Paul wrote: "Great review, and I couldn't agree more. Your opening reminds me of the intro to one of the Sandman graphic novels (probably Preludes and Nocturnes, but I may be mistaken) where the introducer star..."Love this novel. It is hard to peg down why it casts such a spell. f
Evelyn Waugh to Charles Dickens, from Alex Garland to Zadie Frost (Zadie Smith)
(there is an actress, Sadie Frost...)
Kirk wrote: "Evelyn Waugh to Charles Dickens, from Alex Garland to Zadie Frost (Zadie Smith)
(there is an actress, Sadie Frost...)" thanks!
Ah, Kazuo Ishiguro also wrote _The Remains of the Day_, which - believe it or not - I have never read nor seen the iconic Anthony Hopkins/Emma Thompson movie version. My Mum just gave me a copy of the book, which I am anxious to read. I'll add _Never Let Me Go_ to my list too. Thank you, Fabian.
Christine wrote: "Phenomenal review, Fabian!"Thank you. F
Joana wrote: "Great review. Very wise."Thank you, Joana. f
Sounds a more subtle sci-fi work.
Love the way you encapsulated the essence of this book in so few words. Just thinking back on the life he portrays changes my mood - makes me melancholy in some profound way. It takes ones breath away!
Fantastic review. I read this book 2x. The first time it made me uncomfortable because of the subject matter- being donors whose lives would end tragically. The second time I was able to appreciate it more. I love how you pointed out that it is both science fiction but also a Gothic love story. Very point on.It is a horrific yet beautifully written book.The movie was also good IMO.
Debra wrote: "Fantastic review. I read this book 2x. The first time it made me uncomfortable because of the subject matter- being donors whose lives would end tragically. The second time I was able to appreciate..."I want to read it again soon! f
James wrote: "Reading this at the moment, the first 50 pages were a bit slow but its picking up speed now at page 162. I'm hoping for lots of answers during the last third! Great review."Thanks!
I loved Alex Garland's work on the film "Ex Machina." And this is one of my friend's favorite books, so I came along with him to see the film version of "Never Let Me Go."
This is a great review Fabian, I'm not sure if I want to read this one yet. Sounds super creepy
Another Ishiguro fan here. I agree, When We Were Orphans, not his best, love everything else (I have read it all, I was obsessed when I found him. This was my first book, I read it twice but loved it specially the first time. It must be the mood as you say. Brilliant author.
Ah Fabian Ishiguro is the stuff of wonders isn't he? If you haven't read "The Buried Giant" yet give it a go. The audiobook is simply wonderful.
Remains of the Day is on my all time favourites' list. And i know what you mean about UK writers.......aaahhhhThe setting here is one i love to re-visit & examine (obsessed with?); students at University or boarding school....will read any book with this setting.
Added to my "must read" list, thanks!
That's Horrible don't swear either
Jrewq jrewq held I've fiefs fifth aside I tissue causes mask crossruff it's duff chase I visit had due far ferry sends I fish feud have disks brick wished judo at divided is side is wife disks icy surveys fried usher odor fields mask disks make I disks had if disc is visit is I disc I had due if if if if I fish disks odor so sold isotopes is field I city such such did such system did is field I disks had if I disks had due if disc I disc is I disc is if disc is if I disc I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I disc is field I disc visit had due if disc I disc I disks had if disc I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far ferry sends I had due far
Thanks for your review. I'm stuck in the middle, completely lost, almost on the edge of boredom, cannot go further. Hope I have the same feeling in the end. It's taking me ages to finish it!
